N.H. jobless rate drifts slightly higher over the year

By john nolan

jnolan@fosters.com

fosters.com

By john nolan

jnolan@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 22, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By john nolan

jnolan@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 22, 2012 at 3:15 AM

CONCORD — The unadjusted unemployment rate for New Hampshire for October was 5.2 percent, according to figures newly released by NH Employment Security. This compares to a revised unadjusted jobless rate of 5.2 percent in September and a 5.0 percent rate of October 2011.

The over-the-year drift to higher unemployment is not reflected in the national unadjusted unemployment rate, which was 7.5 percent in October, compared to 8.5 percent in October 2011.

The jobless rates for counties, towns and cities were not available before the Rochester Times deadline, and will be given next week.

However, the Current Employment Statistics (CES) for October, based on a survey of New Hampshire employers, has been released, and the total estimate for jobs in the private sector is 537,400. This is a loss of 500 jobs since September, but is 1,000 jobs better than a year ago.

The Construction sector now employs 23,200 people in the state, which is down 300 jobs over the month but up 500 over the year. This sector, as winter sets in, typically loses jobs that are not regained until spring.

Manufacturing also went down over the month as well as over the year. There were an estimated 65,500 jobs in October — down 300 over the month and down 1,100 over the year.

Wholesale Trade now employs 27,600 workers which is down 100 jobs over the month but up 1,100 over the year.

The Retail sector had 92,800 employees, in October, which is up 1,300 people over the month and up a significant 2,100 over the year.

Real Estate, Rentals and Leasing, a small but indicative subsector, which had been strengthening in recent months, lost 100 jobs from September to October. It now employs 6,600 people, which is 300 fewer than a year ago.

Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools (in the private sector) now have a combined staff of 19,900 people — up 1,200 over the month and up 300 over the year.

Health Care and Social Services, another major and, until recently, steadily growing source of jobs, had 84,300 employees in October. This up 300 over the month, but is down 800 people over the year.

Leisure and Hospitality, which includes arts and entertainment, recreation, accommodation and eating and drinking places of every kind, had a seasonal loss of 2,900 jobs over the month as tourism ebbed. There are now 65,100 workers in this sector, which is still 900 more than this time, last year.

Government (the non-private sector) employed 95,500 people in October at federal, state and local level. This is up 1,700 over the month – attributable to state education services – and is flat over the year.

Federal government now has 7,200 people, which is down 200 over the year. State government has 27,400 employees – up 1,300 over the year. Local government, in October, had 60,900 employees, which is down 1,100 people over the year.